Push up trainer

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for performing pushups thereupon, comprising: two arcuate side pieces each comprising a gradually sloping front section and a sharply descending back section terminating in feet; each back leg being telescopically extendible from a back section of an arcuate side piece, and incorporating a locking means to keep the back legs extended by a desired amount; the front and back feet for supporting the apparatus on the ground; the apparatus further comprising a rectangle of struts coupling the arcuate legs together, and an upper cross bar for coupling the arcuate side pieces together near the highest point thereof; such that a user may alternatively: 
     (i) grip the gently sloping front sections and ergonomically support his arms thereby to perform moderate press ups, or (ii) support his ankles on the upper cross bar and hands on the ground to perform demanding press ups.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present invention claims priority to Utility Application No. 11/985,152 filed on Nov. 14, 2007, making reference to same herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing an exercise device, particularly a compact and portable device for performing more effective push-ups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Push-Up is one of the world's oldest exercises and is one of the best ways to strengthen and build up upper body strength, including chest, shoulders, arms abdomen and lower back muscles when done correctly. In particular, push-ups are a favorite exercise for developing strength in biceps, triceps and abdominal muscles, for body-building, fitness and for weight control.

Conventional push-ups are performed whilst lying chest-down with hands at shoulder level and palms flat on the floor and slightly more than shoulder-width apart and feet together and parallel to each other. Keeping the legs straight and toes tucked under the feet, the arms are straightened to push the body up off the floor. Keeping the palms fixed at the same position and the body straight without bending or arching the upper or lower back while pushing up, the exerciser should exhale as the arms straighten out. After a momentary pause, the exerciser slowly lowers the body towards the floor. Bending the arms while keeping the palms in a fixed position and keeping the body straight and feet together, the body is lowered until the chest touches the floor. Without bending the back, the knees are kept off the floor, the exerciser inhaling as the arms are bent. After pausing for a moment, the exerciser straightens the arms for a second push-up, exhaling whilst raising the body.

Indeed, push-ups and pull-ups are all that is needed to work the major upper body muscle groups. Members of the US Armed Forces, especially the army and the Marines, still depend on these two exercises, along with crunches and running, to stay in shape when they're stationed in a locale without a training facility.

There is, however, a known limitation with using just push-ups and pull-ups for upper body training that arises as the trainee's strength plateaus, in that with any exercise, whether using one's own body weight, free weights or machines, if the resistance doesn't increase, the muscles are not overloaded and the stimulus these fibers need to grow in size is missing.

There are, however, a few ways that have long been known, for increasing the resistance of pull-ups and push-ups. One way is to elevate the feet while doing push-ups. Essentially, one starts with the feet on a step at the bottom of a stair or a low step stool. Raising the feet higher make one work against gravity, thereby increasing the resistance. Ideally one should work up to the point where one can perform push-ups with one's feet on a chair. It will be noted that the higher the feet, the more work is done by the shoulders.

Other variations for improving strength and muscular endurance include modified push-ups with hands on an object or with feet on an object. With hands on an object, the difficulty of the exercise may be increased by first placing the hands on a wall, later on a desk, then on a chair (or by progressing to lower stairs on a staircase). By progressing to lower levels of hand placement, the intensity of the exercise is increased with a resultant increase in muscle strength.

With feet on an object, the body is kept straight with hands on the ground and feet on a chair, steps, or some object. Progressively elevating the feet to higher levels increases the intensity of the exercise. The difficulty and hence strength may be further increased by doing push-ups between chairs with the feet elevated; the exerciser lowering himself/herself as far as possible between the chairs.

A push up device comprising a hand unit and a separate foot unit coupled therewith is described in co-pending application No. U.S. Ser. No. 11/467/680 to Shtorch, for which a notice of allowance has been received. The device addresses many of the issues described hereinabove, but, though to some extent foldable, nevertheless takes up space, since it consists of separate hand and foot support structures.

Equipment for facilitating variations to standard exercise techniques are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,144 to Stevens, entitled Segmented Weight and Exerciser describes an exercise device which has a hub, a flat strap having one end connected to the hub and adapted to be wound on the hub, a handle connected to an opposite end of the strap for allowing a user to hold the handle to support the hub and a pair of disk-shaped weights connected to opposite sides of the hub. In one embodiment of this device foot pedals are provided which a user can push against while seated upon the floor. This device provides various exercising possibilities but is not suitable for performing push ups.

Another exercise apparatus is described by Riazi in US2006/0040808. Riazi's apparatus is configured to be used in conjunction with an exercising ball, and describes a base configured to stabilize the rolling movement of an exercise ball under the influence of a user seated on the ball. The base defines a range in which rolling movement of the ball is unimpeded, and has an obstacle portion configured to impede rolling movement of the ball beyond that range. This enables the base to stabilize the ball and the seated user when the ball rolls into contact with the obstacle portion of the base. By their nature, push ups require that an exerciser's weight be supported at least in part by his hands. Razi's apparatus is configured for an exerciser seated upon a ball and thus is not compatible with performing push ups.

A further known exercise device is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,807 to Richmond describing first and second platforms respectively provided for supporting a user's arms and knees. Rollers on the bottom surface of at least one of the units facilitate relative movement between the units. Embodiments are described which include various units for supporting the hands and feet including a detent to receive the user's legs or to retain the user's calves or ankles on the unit and a unit for receiving and retaining the user's feet which may be disposed on a rod the length of which being adjustable to the dimensions of the user.

Richmond's exercise equipment provides platforms which move relative to one another. Such movement is not necessary when performing a push up and indeed makes the performance of standard push ups extremely difficult. Moreover, when performing standard push ups the knees are kept off the floor, therefore in order to perform push ups, an exerciser would be required to dismount from Richmond's exercise equipment.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,919 to Yang. Yang describes a balance-exercising apparatus with an inflatable semi-spherical section and an annular frame connected on two diametrically opposed points with two movable pulling ropes. For normal use a user holds the pulling ropes and treads, jumps, sits or lies on the air cushion. FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,919 shows the device being used to to raise the hands of an exerciser performing push ups, however in Yang's device the height of the hands is fixed by the height of the semi-spherical section and is not easily adjusted. Indeed as outlined above, any object, such as a stool, step or chair could be similarly used to raise the hands during performance of a push up, and Yang's equipment does not contribute to the effectiveness of the is exercise.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,565 to Soria describes a triceps exercise apparatus wherein a pair of adjacent hand grips receive the user's hands in an overhand grip and are formed from a generally horizontal bar whose height is adjustable but is approximately set to 19.5 inches above the level of the user's feet. The device allows a user to grip the bar with his or her arms above his or her head and his or her body facing downward. The apparatus includes a block for receiving the feet of the user and a means for manually adjusting the distance of the block from the bar so as to adjust the apparatus to users of differing heights. Soria's apparatus facilitates a particular pull up exercise which targets the development of the triceps for boxing and although it could be used for performing push ups with the hands raised, it does not provide any means of raising the feet above the level of the hands, which is required to increase the effectiveness of the push up exercise for developing biceps.

A device for performing push-up exercises is described by Bergman and Jahanian in U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,014. This describes an exercise machine which has a body support platform extending at a variable angle of inclination from a point of rotation. A user lays prone on the body support platform to perform a push-up. When a person laying on the body support platform performs a push-up, the body support platform rotates around its point of rotation. A bias mechanism is used to bias the body support platform toward one angle of inclination. Depending upon the needs of the user, the bias mechanism can be configured to either apply an upward bias to the body support platform that would assist a person in performing a push-up, or apply a downward bias to the body support platform that would resist a person in performing a push-up. U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,014 does not provide a method for raising the feet above the head but supports the whole length of the body with the head raised above the feet. In addition the device described therein is bulky and not readily adjustable for exercisers of different heights. Since the pivot is below the feet U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,014 also requires more space than for regular press ups.

There is a need for a compact apparatus for assisting an exerciser to perform standard push ups, where stairs, stools and the like are unavailable. Such an apparatus preferably provides controlled modular increase in difficulty and effectiveness for building up muscles, fitness and stamina. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for performing pushups thereupon, the apparatus comprising: a framework comprising two arcuate side pieces each comprising a gradually sloping front section and a sharply descending back section; the front end of the arcuate side piece terminating in a front foot and the back section terminating in an extendable leg section with a back foot thereupon; each of said back legs being telescopically extendible from a back section of an arcuate side piece, and incorporating a locking means to keep the back legs extended by a desired amount; said front and back feet for supporting the apparatus on the ground;

-   -   the apparatus further comprising a rectangle of struts coupling         the arcuate legs together, including a front strut for spanning         between the two front sections of the arcuate side pieces at         ground level, a back strut for spanning between the two back         sections of the arcuate side pieces above where extendible part         extends out thereof, and a pair of side struts that span between         the front section and the back section of each side piece to         provide rigidity thereby, and an upper cross bar for coupling         the arcuate side pieces together near the highest point thereof;

such that back sections are substantially straight telescopic tubes comprising piston like inner extension pieces that may be used to extend the back legs and to adjust the height of the upper cross bar from the ground and thereby adjust the slope of the angle of the gently sloping front section of the side pieces, such that a user may alternatively:

(i) grip the gently sloping front sections and ergonomically support his arms thereby to perform moderate press ups, or (ii) support his ankles on the upper cross bar and hands on the ground to perform demanding press ups

Typically, the apparatus is fabricated from tubing.

Typically, the apparatus is fabricated from a material selected from the list comprising aluminum, steel and plastic.

Typically, the inner tube is telescopically extendible from the cylindrical back leg and lockable in position by a peg.

In one embodiment, the peg is a sprung loaded peg for springingly engaging holes in the cylindrical outer tube of the back legs.

Preferably, the gradually sloping front section is provided with hand grips.

Optionally, the hand grips being extensive tubular foam sleeves covering a length of the gradually sloping front section.

Typically, the handgrips are angled at an angle of from 20° to 60° to surface.

Typically, the arcuate side pieces are separated by a distance of between 60 cm and 80 cm.

Optionally, the feet comprise rubber grips to prevent the apparatus from slipping backwards.

Preferred embodiments of the apparatus are stackable, so that a plurality of said apparatuses can be stacked and stored in a small space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown, are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention; the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric projection of the press up apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a typical pin-and-hole mechanism as incorporated in one embodiment of the back legs, to allow them to be extended.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exerciser performing easy press ups using the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exerciser performing difficult press ups using the apparatus of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 5 shows how a preferred embodiment of the press up apparatus of the invention is stackable for ease of storage where used by sports teams, exercise classes, platoons, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, an isometric projection of the press up apparatus 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus 10 is essentially a framework comprising two arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R each comprising a gradually sloping front section 14L, 14R and a sharply descending back section 16L, 16R. The front ends of the arcuate side pieces terminate in front feet 18L, 18R, and the back sections terminate in extending parts with back feet thereupon 20L, 20R. The front and back feet 18L, 18R, 20L, 20R support the apparatus on the ground. The back feet are on piston like legs that are telescopically extendible from the back end 16L 16R, of arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R, and a locking means is provided to keep the back legs extended by a desired amount, which, as shown in FIG. 2, may be a peg 30 in hole 32 means, the peg being a sprung loaded peg 31 in the rod like inner section 34 of the back legs, for springingly engaging holes 32 in the cylindrical outer tube section 16 of the back leg, such as is commonly used in Zimmer frames, crutches and the like. The apparatus 10 further comprises a rectangle of struts that couple the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R together. These include a front strut 22 for spanning between the two front sections 14L, 14R of the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R at ground level, a back strut 24 for spanning between the two back sections 16L, 16R of the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R above where extendible leg sections extend out thereof, and a pair of side struts 26L, 26R that span between the front section 14L, 14R and the back section 16L, 16R to provide rigidity thereby, and an upper cross bar 28 for coupling the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R together near the highest point thereof; such that back sections 16L, 16R are substantially straight telescopic tubes comprising piston like inner extension pieces that may be used to extend the back legs and to adjust the height of the upper cross bar 28 from the ground and thereby adjust the slope of the angle of the gently sloping front sections 14L, 14R of the side pieces 12L, 12R.

The apparatus is 10 is typically fabricated from aluminum, steel or plastic tubing and may be welded or bolted, or otherwise coupled together from lengths of tubing, perhaps in a manner to be supplied in kit form for self-assembly. Optionally, the feet 18L, 18R, 20L, 20R comprise rubber grips to prevent the apparatus 10 from slipping backwards.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this manner, a user can grip the gently sloping front sections 14L, 14R and ergonomically support his/her arms thereby to to perform moderate press ups. To facilitate this, the gradually sloping front section 14L, 14R is preferably provided with hand grips. Optionally, the hand grips 30 are extensive tubular foam sleeves covering a length of the gradually sloping front sections 14L, 14R. Typically, the handgrips 30 on the front parts of the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R are angled at an angle of from 20° to 60° to surface and are separated by a distance of between 60 cm and 80 cm.

As shown in FIG. 4, the user can rest his/her feet on the upper cross bar 28 and hands on the ground to perform demanding press ups.

As shown in FIG. 5, preferred embodiments of the apparatus are stackable, so that a plurality of the press-up frames can be stacked and stored in a small space.

Thus persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is capable of much variation and is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes variations and modifications of the various features described hereinabove, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

In the claims, the word “comprise”, and variations thereof such as “comprises”, “comprising” and the like indicate that the components listed are included, but not generally to the exclusion of other components. 

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 14. An apparatus, supported on a substrate, and configured for performing variations of pushups by a user thereupon, said apparatus arranged as an interconnected framework having two identical arcuate frame pieces, said framework comprising: a) a front support section interfacing with said substrate, and arranged at a first angle with respect to said substrate; b) an adjustable rear support section interfacing with said substrate, and arranged at a second angle with respect to said substrate, said rear support section comprising telescopically extendable leg sections with locking mechanisms; and, c) a gripping section arranged between said front support section and said rear support section, and sloping downward from said rear support section to said front support section in a range of adjustable gradients, said range of gradients being adjustable by said extendable legs of said front support section so as to provide support for said user 45° from the substrate, said gripping section being configured to facilitate a palm-facing grip for said user grasping said gripping section to perform a push-up exercise.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a front strut for spanning between said two identical arcuate frame pieces at said front section proximate said substrate, a back strut for spanning between said two said identical arcuate frame pieces at said rear section above each said extendible leg and a pair of side struts that span between the front support section and the rear support section of each said identical arcuate frame piece to provide rigidity thereby and, an upper cross bar for coupling said identical arcuate frame pieces together near a highest point from the substrate.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein telescopically extendable leg sections adjust the height of the back strut from the substrate thereby adjusting the gradient of the gripping section, such that said user may alternatively: (i) grip the gently sloping gripping sections and ergonomically support his arms thereby to perform moderate pushups, and (ii) support the user's ankles on said upper cross bar and the user's hands on the substrate to perform demanding pushups.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said framework comprises tubing.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said apparatus is fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum, steel and plastic.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said telescopically extendible leg sections are lockable in position by a peg.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said peg is spring loaded.
 21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said gripping section is provided with at least two hand grips.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each said hand grip is a tubular foam sleeve covering a length of said gripping section.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said range of gradients is from 20° to 60° to the substrate.
 24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said identical arcuate frame pieces are separated by a distance of between 60 cm and 80 cm.
 25. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising rubber grips located on ends of said identical arcuate pieces to prevent said apparatus from slipping.
 26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a plurality of said apparatuses are stackable to be stored in a small space. 